Chandigarh residents woke up to a significantly colder morning as the city witnessed a sharp intensification of winter conditions over the last day. The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Chandigarh observatory recorded a substantial fall in both day and night temperatures, accompanied by dense fog that severely reduced visibility.
Sharp Decline in Maximum and Minimum Temperatures
According to the latest data from the IMD, the cold grip tightened remarkably. The maximum temperature in Chandigarh fell to 17.4 degrees Celsius. This reading represents a steep drop of approximately 5.2 degrees Celsius compared to the previous day's high. Furthermore, it settled at 2.7 degrees Celsius below the normal average expected for this period of the year.
The minimum temperature also followed a downward trend, recorded at 6.9 degrees Celsius. This marks a notable fall of around 3.3 degrees Celsius within the past 24 hours, although it remained close to the seasonal normal. Meteorological officials attributed this sudden chill to the prevailing cold north-westerly winds and persistent foggy conditions.
Dense Fog Reduces Visibility, Adds to Discomfort
The cold spell was compounded by poor visibility due to fog. The IMD reported dense to very dense fog at isolated places, including the Chandigarh Airport, during the morning hours. This significantly added to the wintry feel and caused disruptions.
The Sector 39 IMD observatory recorded visibility as low as 200 metres at 11:30 am due to the thick fog blanket. The combination of low temperatures and high relative humidity made the weather particularly uncomfortable for residents, who experienced colder mornings and evenings. No rainfall was reported in the city during this 24-hour period.
IMD Forecast: Continued Cold and Foggy Conditions
The weather department has forecast that the cold conditions are likely to persist. For the Tricity region, including Chandigarh, the IMD predicts partly cloudy skies with dense fog over the next few days.
The temperature outlook for the coming five days indicates little relief. The maximum temperature is expected to hover between 19 and 21 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to remain in the range of 6 to 7 degrees Celsius. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions against the cold and plan travel considering the potential for fog-related visibility issues, especially during early mornings.
